Willard Middle School - Target Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

Page 20 text:

Finally he heard voices. He felt the strong grasp of the scout- master’s arm. Then everything grew black. The next thing he knew he found himself lying in his tent. That evening when the rest were gathered around the campfire, Dick came to his tent. At first neither spoke. Then Dick said, “I’ve been an awful cad. The trouble was you had so many badges and you beat everyone at swimming. I’ve always wanted to swim but never could, and well, I guess I was jealous.” Bob was still dazed from his adventure but Dick looked so miser- able that before he knew it he had promised to teach him to swim. The next few days after mess they slipped away by themselves to a little cove not far away where under skillful training Dick soon learned to swim. But best of all Bob kept his word. None of the other boys ever knew. WILBUR NEWELL. MY BEAR The bear upon my dresser sits. And eats until his eyes are slits. All of the pence that lie around. He gobbles up with a furious bound. With a grave shake of his wise head He seems to say: ‘‘See that I’m fed; Some day you will be very glad For the rich food that I have had.” Into his tummy every day A shiny penny wends its way, To help against that future time When I shall need this treasure fine. Off to the bank the bear must go. For that’s where he hides his loot, you know; And when you ask him where he’s been, He only answers with a grin. For he knows just as well as you That if we save each penny too, We’ll be like King Midas was of old. Happy in the knowledge of a well-filled hold. BETH SWINN.

Page 19 text:

A Rescue in a Mining Shaft (As Told Round a Campfire) LTHOUGH Bob Huntington had been a scout for only two years, he had more merit badges than any other boy in the troop. He understood first aid, woodcraft and bird study so well that none of the other boys could equal him. He could signal like a marine. In athletics he did not excel because he was too light for football and baseball did not appeal to him. Dick Thomas, the biggest boy in the troop, seemed to live for just these sports. He lost no chance to tease Bob whenever the two met. Once he went so far as to call him “yellow” and a fight had followed. This was the state of affairs when they came to the scout camp in the summer. Bob stood with patience the bullying remarks of Dick. Finally he came to the conclusion that Dick really could not swim. He had noticed that Dick always went in with the others, but he could never remember seeing him swim. The thought occurred to him that if he could duck him in front of the others, it would be a good chance to get even. One day after mess when the scouts were free to amuse themselves as they wanted to, Bob started up a nearby mountain trail to explore the shaft of an old mine. This had an opening like a cave and on going in he discovered a dark pool. Bob was very much interested in minerals and stopped to examine some specimens, when he heard a shrill cry. It came from above and immediately afterward he heard other voices calling excitedly. Springing to his feet, he climbed the slope quickly. On reaching the top he learned that Dick had fallen down the shaft. In an instant he recalled the dark pool. Just them he heard Dick calling in terror. Leaping up, he tore off his shoes and let himself down the shaft. For a moment he hung on the edge looking into the dark space below. The mean things Dick had said flashed in his mind. Gritting his teeth, he loosened his hold and a little later landed in the pool with a splash. “Dick,” he called, “where are you?” “Here,” came back a faint voice, “but I’m slipping.” Bob swam in that direction, grabbed Dick, who by now was un- conscious, and made for the entrance. It was a hard pull. The outlet to the cave seemed miles away, the cold dark pool was full of terrors, and his body ached. More than once he thought the end had come.

Page 21 text:

A Leap Year Proposal RUCE, you just simply have to explain to me what it all means.” Mary Jane, a small girl of seven, made this earnest remark to her faithful puppy, who was her constant companion. But Bruce only wagged his funny little wisp of a tail, and barked joyously in dog language. ‘‘Oh, Bruce, why can’t you talk? I just know you want to, and then — besides, you wouldn’t laugh at me for asking foolish questions, now, would you?” But by now the little dog had espied a ladybug in the grass and was examining it curiously. t Mary Jane realized that she would have to get along as best she could. Why did everybody laugh at her, though, when she asked them if she couldn’t make a leap year proposal? Her mother would always say, ‘‘Oh, Jane, whatever put such foolish notions into your head? Now, run along and play and don’t bother mother again when she has com- pany.” Then she would pat Mary Jane’s head and glance understand- ingly at her friends, who were sure to remark, “What a cute little girl!” and, “My, how much you have grown, my deah!” until she would run wildly from the room. However, Mary Jane continued to ask questions. Her brother (who was nearly 22) would go into paroxyms of laughter when she tried to talk to him about it. “Mary Jane,” he would say, “what does a small child of your age know about proposals?” Would not that be enough to make anyone angry? Maybe someone had proposed to him and that was what made him so silly. In fact, she had heard it hinted that brother had had a proposal. But her big sister, Betty (who was 1 5, and quite grown-up) , was more considerate of her feelings and seemed to be more interested. She had told Mary Jane all about proposing on leap year. “You ask the person you love the very best,” she had said, dramatically, “to give you your heart’s desire.” Ah, well, it was all very strange. But she had at last found out what a leap year proposal was! With these thoughts she mounted the stairs to her nursery, and was soon tucked away in bed, but strongly resisting the powers of Somnus. Yes! The decision was made! It should be done tomorrow. Oh, how very, very sleepy she was! How happy and impatient she was! Would morning ever come?